Summary
I went to see Kim Phuc speak the other night. It was a surreal experience to see a woman who plays such a significant role in history. You just don’t think that you will ever meet people like her.
I actually spoke to her afterward. I shook her hand and touched her arm, which was severely burned during a napalm attack in the Vietnam War.
Who is Kim Phuc, The Girl in the Picture?
The Girl in the Photograph, famously known as the Napalm Girl, is a symbol of the devastating effects of war. Kim Phuc was the young girl from the Vietnam War whose village was devastated by napalm bombs. The powerful image captures her running away, with 60% of her body covered in third-degree burns. I learned that napalm burns at 800°C, and she recounted how a soldier attempted to alleviate her suffering by pouring water on her burns, which tragically worsened her condition.
After being brought to a hospital, she was initially left for dead. However, fate intervened, and today, she shares her story with the world. Her journey first caught my attention during my travels to Vietnam.
Travel to Canada
After a stop in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, she defected and started a new life. Wow—reading about her while I was in Vietnam and discovering that she now lives in Canada was profound. This experience has always stuck with me.
When a friend’s mother asked if I knew who Kim Phuc was and whether I wanted to see her speak, I immediately said yes! It was hard to believe that she lived less than an hour away from me.
Vietnam in Pop Culture
Growing up during the 70s and 80s, Vietnam was a prevalent topic in film and pop culture, with iconic movies such as Uncommon Valor, Apocalypse Now, First Blood, and Platoon. Although I enjoyed these stories, I never truly connected with their historical significance at that young age.
Therefore, when I visited Vietnam, I was amazed to be in a place I had seen portrayed in numerous movies and shows. Seeing Kim Phuc in Canada after reading about her in Vietnam was even more astonishing.
I had the opportunity to see Kim Phuc, the Girl in the Picture, speak recently in Burlington, Ontario. She is a humble yet powerful woman who moved an audience of 500 women to tears. As a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for peace and founder of the Kim Phuc Foundation, her message of forgiveness resonated deeply, making us laugh and smile while also stirring our emotions.
Kim Phuc’s Story
Kim began her speech by stating, “I believe everyone has a story to tell, but tonight it is my turn.” She shared her harrowing tale of surviving a napalm blast, being left for dead, and eventually being rescued and sent to a hospital in Saigon. She spent 16 months in excruciating pain and, upon returning home, feared she would never be loved, as her physical suffering continued.
She described her aspiration to become a doctor, but her dreams were interrupted when her government exploited her for propaganda. Monitored constantly, she encountered events that further deepened her despair. Eventually, her journey led her from Cuba to Canada.
The Girl in the Picture
In a remarkable twist, Kim has become friends with Nick Ut, the photographer who took her iconic image and saved her life. More astonishingly, she has met the man responsible for the attacks on her village; they are now good friends who have found forgiveness for each other. This powerful narrative of reconciliation is truly inspiring.
Her life exemplifies resilience. Kim has successfully brought her family to Canada, travels the world advocating for peace, provides aid through her own foundation, and continues to inspire countless individuals globally. She reminds us that if she can survive and thrive, we too can overcome our challenges.
Though she still endures chronic pain and bears visible scars, Kim considers herself fortunate for the opportunities she has had. She acknowledges the millions who were less fortunate and is grateful for her ability to live a happy life and spread positivity.
